Everton’s potency in the transfer market has been somewhat nullified in recent years, due to their ongoing financial struggles.
Having dared to dream big, backed by the vast fortune that Farhad Moshiri brought, in the end, his lack of knowledge or long-term plan proved regressive. The Toffees have since been embroiled in back-to-back relegation battles, and currently sit 18th after 14 games.
However, this third straight dogfight is best contextualised by the ten-point deduction administered just two weeks ago, in which the Premier League came down hard on their misguided ambition.
Despite remaining transparent, apologetic and proactive in their efforts to find an amicable conclusion, they were shocked to see the harshest sanction in the division’s 135-year history still handed out.
Unsurprisingly, such desperation to avoid this ruling has led to many compromises, thus hampering their transfer activity.
So, in an effort to instead plan for a brighter future, Kevin Thelwell has clearly diverted his attention towards the next generation of top talents.
With reports having emerged late last month that Everton had agreed a deal to snag a 16-year-old Braiden Graham from Linfield, it seems this philosophy is already in progress.
What has been said about Braiden Graham?
Having made waves in his homeland already, the U17s Northern Ireland international enjoyed his greatest feat yet last night, firing home a late equaliser in what was his first-ever senior goal.
Steven Beacom, the chief sports writer at the Belfast Telegraph, gave us an insight into the glistening future of the teenage marksman.
Speaking exclusively to Everton News, he said:
‘In the League Cup tie on Tuesday night Braiden Graham showed he was a man for the big occasion and had bottle which should hold him in good stead in the future.
‘Linfield were playing Larne in the quarter-finals of the competition and after losing 4-0 to their fiercest rivals Glentoran needed to bounce back.
‘Against the Champions Larne they trailed 2-1 in the final seconds of extra time and were a man down and then up stepped Graham on as a substitute.
‘In the heat of battle the kid was as cool as ice finishing superbly inside the box to send the game to penalties and he wasn’t finished there.
‘Graham wanted to take a spot-kick and when his time came he kept his nerve to score. It proved crucial as Linfield went on to win the shoot-out.’
How good is Braiden Graham?
Having enjoyed two senior appearances before last night’s heroics, to find the net with his third is indicative of a young starlet unphased by the trials of senior football.
His finish, in the dying embers of an important clash, showcased an immense poise as he perfectly curled in his right-footed shot into the top corner.
Such expertise inside the area will be welcomed at Everton, and although he will be far from Sean Dyche’s first team, already Graham boasts experience beyond most of those already at the lower levels in Finch Farm.
He will hope that, upon moving to Merseyside, he can dominate English youth football with ease in order to fast-track his path to the senior squad.
Given how blistering a start the teenager has already enjoyed to his career, the sky truly is the limit.
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